Supporting documents must be uploaded to the application as electronic files (.doc, pdf, etc.) as we no longer accept supporting materials by mail. Please begin collecting supporting materials early, as certain items may take time to compile. Instructions for how to submit supporting materials are listed at the end of the online application.

Recommendations
You must submit two recommendations for your application, and you will need to provide the names of your references at the time of your application submission.

It is your responsibility to have your references submit their recommendation letters for you to Jerrod Laber at funding@theihs.org by the appropriate deadline.

Make sure the people writing the letters of recommendation for you are aware of the deadline (to be updated this fall) for submitting their materials to IHS.

Checking the status of your Humane Studies Fellowship application
You will be able to check the status of your application, upload additional documents, provide updates, and change your recommenders in your IHS account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the size of the Humane Studies Fellowship award?The Humane Studies Fellowship program awards up to $15,000 that can be used toward tuition, fees, living costs, and other expenses associated with a PhD program.

Is previous participation in an IHS program required to be considered for a Humane Studies Fellowship?Yes, to be eligible you must have previously participated in an IHS program (like a summer seminar, summer research fellowship, or research colloquium) or received funding (like a PhD Scholarship, Hayek Fund for Scholars, PhD Application Fee Waiver, Conference & Research Grant, or the Hayek Fund for Future Scholars).

When will decisions be announced for next year’s Humane Studies Fellowship?Notifications will be sent on May 1, 2017.

Would doctoral candidates in the hard sciences like chemistry and biology be considered?Generally no. Humane Studies Fellowships are granted to graduate students in the social sciences with a demonstrated research focus in the ideas of a free society. Qualifying fields of study include economics, philosophy, law, political science, history, and sociology.

What is required if I win a Humane Studies Fellowship?Recipients are required to show proof of full-time enrollment at the beginning of the fall semester and during the academic year and must either present a paper at an academic conference or have a paper ready for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. (Please note: a conference presentation includes graduate student conferences or an IHS Research Colloquium.)

If I did not receive an award last year, may I reapply for the Humane Studies Fellowship this year?Absolutely! The Humane Studies Fellowship is an annual award that previous applicants may reapply for each year of their full-time studies. Candidates new to IHS, however, must apply for a PhD Scholarship.

I am a previous Humane Studies Fellowship winner. May I apply again?Yes. Award winners may reapply for each year of their graduate studies.

I am studying at a university outside the United States. Am I eligible to apply for a Humane Studies Fellowship?Yes. IHS will consider alumni studying at international institutions, though preference is given to applicants who live or study in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. If you are not an IHS alum, you should apply for the IHS PhD Scholarship.